Report On Disaster Soon To Be Public

Report On Disaster Soon To Be Public

December 14, 1998

The report into the fire aboard HMAS WESTRALIA, in which four people died, contains 100 recommendations, the Federal Finance Minister, Mr John Fahey said.

He said it was hoped details of the report would be released publicly in the "very near future".

Mr and Mrs Meek with their daughter Karen, Federal
Finance Minister Mr John Fahey and AB Fiona McLean
with the memorial plaque to Bradley Meek.
Picture: ABPH Damien Pawlenko.

He said, however, the details would be provided to the families of the four dead sailors, before being released publicly.

Mr Fahey spoke of the report while attending an unveiling of a memorial plaque to the memory of LSMT Bradley Meek, 25, of Camden, one of the four to die in the May blaze aboard the fleet oiler off Fremantle.

LS Meek's parents, Vic and Robyn, unveiled the plaque at a new memorial rose garden grown at the Camden park RSL Club in Sydney.

Mr Fahey, who is the federal MP for the Camden area, had the responsibility of formally opening the rose garden.

His comments on the WESTRALIA tragedy came in response to the media questions as to when the report would be released. He said he did not have an exact date for the release of the report.

LS Meek, along with, MIDN Megan Pelly, 22 of Dalby, POMT Shaun Smith, 29 of Perth and ABMT Phillip Carrol, 23, of Carrum Downs died when fire swept through the engine-room of WESTRALIA soon after she set off for exercises in the Indian Ocean.

A lengthy inquiry by a five person panel followed the tragedy. The inquiry was open to the public.

The report stemming from the inquiry has since been to the Maritime Commander and his staff and then to the Chief of Navy. It is expected to go to the Defence Minister, Mr John Moore, soon.

At the ceremony at the club on Friday November 27, Mr and Mrs Meek and their daughter Karen, were told: "Your son gave his life for his country".

Earlier Navy Chaplain Eric Burton had joined two local clergy to dedicate the garden.

Robyn and Vic Meek are served their lunch by Brad's former shipmates, from left, LS Andrew Lee, LS Glenn Macinnis and PO Paul Corcoran. Picture: ABPH Damien Pawlenko.

Meanwhile, at HMAS PENGUIN, a group of shipwrights had restored and extended a barbecue area Bradley Meek built when he was posted to the establishment.

LS Meek built a shelter with brick and lattice sides, paved the area and installed a gas barbecue.

After the WESTRALIA tragedy, a group of his friends extended the paving, rebuilt and repainted the shelter, installed seating and planted grass, joining the barbecue area to PENGUIN's swimming pool.

'It was a practical way to remember our mate," organiser of the work, LS Glen Macinnis said.

"With PO Paul Corcoran and LS Andrew Lee leading, about eight to ten of us from the shipwrights' shop did the area up in our spare time.

The refurbished facility with a plaque commemorating Brad Meek was opened last week in a ceremony attended by about 50 of his shipmates and their families.

Mr and Mrs Meek with their daughter Karen, Federal Finance Minister Mr John Fahey and AB Fiona McLean with the memorial plaque to Bradley Meek. Picture: ABPH Damien Pawlenko.

By Graham Davis